Ophrys incubacea. Ophrys noir. Ophrys incubacea is very close morphologically to Ophrys sphegodes. Among the distinctive criteria, we can note the basal field darker than the macule and a fairly pronounced metallic blue color on the macular patterns and pseudo-eyes. The edge of the labellum is quite often very hairy. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys lutea. Ophrys jaune. Yellow bee orchid Ophrys from the Mediterranean region, this Ophrys poses few identification problems due to its labellum largely edged with yellow. Petals and sepals are also a pronounced yellow, washed with green most often. In addition, it offers little variability. It is found in the south and southwest of France (1 subspecies in Corsica) on fairly dry land: wasteland, scrubland mainly. Measuring from 15 to 30 cm, the stem bears a few flowers which bloom from the end of March to the beginning of June depending on the region. Click on the photos to enlarge

Goodyera repens. Goodyère rampante. Creeping lady's tresses. Yet another orchid that tries to escape the gaze. It flowers relatively late (from mid-June to July... or even much later in autumn) and in more or less dense undergrowth in coniferous stands. It reproduces mainly by sending out stolons and most often measures around ten centimetres. The stem is hairy, the white flowers also provided with a sort of hairiness barely open and are nectariferous. The rounded leaves are generally persistent (so you can spot stations even in winter) and have branched veins (and not aligned like other French orchids). It is found mainly in the Alps but sporadically in other regions possibly displaced at the same time as young conifer shoots. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys speculum. Ophrys miroir. Mirror orchid Also called Ophrys ciliata . eyebrow. A rare species in continental France, it is found in Corsica and on Mediterranean islands. Its almost permanent absence in France would be due to the lack of pollinating insects, so the populations observed are rarely perennial: it appears here and there, disappears and then reappears. But how does it manage to flower? As it is found in the Mediterranean departments, and sporadically on the Atlantic coast, the fertile seeds would arrive carried by the southerly winds, which would allow the emergence of small populations but not their development from flowering plants in France. Easily recognizable with its shiny labellum, sometimes blue, initially surrounded by yellow and then fringed with abundant hair, it looks like it is made of glazed or enameled ceramic. It grows in open wasteland, scrubland and in calcareous soil. Click on the photos to enlarge

Découvrez sur Orchidée-photo.com Dactylorhiza incarnata Orchis incarnat Dactylorhiza praetermissa . Orchis négligé. Southern marsh orchid. (Druce) Some dactylorhizas will give you a hard time when it comes to identification, as each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids may even outnumber the type species. Observing dactylorhizas is yet another demonstration that certain specialists tend to split and name what are sometimes merely varieties. Evolution is indeed underway, but it will not occur within the timescale of our present humanity. Patience! I will therefore present only a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza praetermissa grows in varied terrains but always in moist conditions, and less readily in fallow land. Its labellum is rather flat, its leaves are rarely spotted, but the variation in labellum colours does not make diagnosis easy. (There is no point in checking whether the stem is hollow, as has sometimes been suggested for identification purposes, since dactylorhizas often have this characteristic; it would be a rather pointless sacrifice.) It flowers between May and July, depending on the habitat. It is mainly found in northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Notably, in Newfoundland the plant was introduced “successfully” and is now considered invasive. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys araneola. Ophrys petite araignée. Early spider orchid. It is not always recognized that Ophrys araneola is a species in its own right. It may therefore be a subspecies of Ophrys aranifera (or Ophrys sphegodes ) according to some authors or a simple variety. A synonym refers to Ophrys litigiosa . Open a guide and try to identify it on 1 view and it's a guaranteed nightmare. Go to the Internet and Google and you'll find so many views that you won't know what you're dealing with either! We must therefore accept the fact that within the Ophrys there is an Aranifera/sphegodes section and affiliated species. The differences will be morphological (smaller flowers, sepals larger or smaller than the labellum, colours of the petals and sepals, etc.), calendar-related (early or late flowering) and regional. Prepare yourself well because the variations are such and the hybridizations so numerous that a doubt will often remain. Only a few rare individuals relate to the type and the others will have to remain prudently within the section. Araneola is therefore reputed to be earlier in flowering date than Aranifera (in regions where both can be found) and the two often coexist and it is then just a question of distribution, more araneola at the beginning of the season and more aranifera at the end of the season. The flowers are a little smaller: generally the labellum seems tiny surrounded by long petals and sepals (petals greener and darker than the sepals). It is often rounder and edged with yellow (aranifera is elongated and also edged with yellow but this part being folded most of the time, it is not obvious). The labellum is, according to some authors, slightly rounded, others do not report anything. The basal field is, like Ophrys aranifera, concolorous with the labellum. Still among the oddities, there is a subspecies (or species) Ophrys viriscens which is considered according to the authors (see guides) to be more slender than Ophrys araneola or on the contrary more robust!?? Who to believe? From my own observations in Aveyron, I can conclude, with great humility, that apart from very marked individuals with small flowers, small labellum often round and sepals generally tending towards white or pinkish white, many other Ophrys encountered in the field are difficult to classify because they are probably hybridized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Epipactis purpurata . Epipactis pourpre. Violet helleborine. (J. E. Smith) A plant of undergrowth, sometimes of clearings, Epipactis purpurata measures from 20 to 70 cm. The flowers can be washed with purple or remain rather dull but the stem is generally of a slightly purple tint. The leaves are of medium to small size. In Epipactis, the labellum is divided into two parts: the hypochile, concave, contains more or less nectar, which gives it a shiny appearance, and the epichile, often pointed, sometimes folded, with a complex appearance, rarely smooth and covered with bumps, hollows or furrows that allow insects to cling while they draw nectar. Petals and sepals are generally of the same color, more or less greenish. The pollinia, once stuck on the head of the insect, slowly disintegrate, which allows several flowers to be fertilized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Dactylorhiza maculata . Orchis maculé. Heath spotted orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will be difficult to identify because each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids are more numerous than the type species. Observing Dactylorhiza is proof that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway, but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza maculata is a plant that likes many environments, dry or humid but rather on calcareous soil. The flowers are quite colorful but white is often very present. The labellum does not have the characteristic tip of Dactylorhiza fuchsii but confusion remains possible on intermediate individuals possibly hybrids. Click on the photos to enlarge

Découvrez Orchis mascula, l'Orchis mâle. Orchidée sauvage. Orchis spitzelii. Orchis de Spitzel. Spitzel's orchid. (Sauter ex W.D.J. Koch) The Spitzel's Orchid, related to the Male Orchid, is distinguished by its generally smaller size, pronounced spotting on the lip, and the often greenish interiors of the sepals. This species is also found in woodlands, typically at moderate altitudes. Click on the photos to enlarge

Orchis provincialis. Orchis de Provence. Provence orchid Orchis provincialis is part of the genus Orchis, largely amputated by numerous species now classified in the genera Anacamptis or Dactylorhiza. Orchis are tuberous orchids, usually have two which gave them their Greek name Orchis which means testicle. One of the tubers allows the plant to grow while the second forms during this same period and will replace the original bulb which gradually withers the following year. If we were to dig up an orchid (which I of course prohibit), we would therefore find the tuber of the year more or less withered, the tuber in the making for the future season and sometimes an old one totally withered from the previous year. Orchids are fairly tall plants (20 to 60 cm), rather robust and easily spotted in meadows, wastelands or light undergrowth. The preferred soils are generally calcareous or marly and rather dry. Species from the south-eastern quarter of France and the northern part of the Mediterranean, it is a medium-sized orchid. Quite easy to identify with its whitish flowers and sometimes very white but almost always speckled with pink on the center of the labellum. It is therefore not a hypochromic version of the Orchis mascula which in this case is totally white. The leaves are spotted. It will be found in more acidic than calcareous soil but not humid. Click on the photos to enlarge

Spiranthes spiralis. Spiranthe d'automne. Autumn lady's tresses. It's all in the name! The orchid blooms in autumn (late August to be exact...) and its inflorescence describes a spiral. It is both rare, except in certain departments in the south of France, and not very visible. Orchid enthusiasts are less active in prospecting at the end of August, and it passes outside the usual observation periods. Sometimes, moreover, it flowers without warning: no announcing leaves, the stem emerges, the orchid flowers then disappears in about twenty days no more (experience). Discovering it is sometimes a matter of chance or thanks to a transmission between initiates. Given its particular needs in terms of biotope, it will sometimes find shelter in an urban area (untrampled but regularly mowed lawn, maintained cemetery edges, etc.) In principle, the leaves are visible (but they must be noticed) before flowering. The genus Spiranthes is widespread throughout the world and in both hemispheres, which is unusual among orchids (apart from inter-tropical species, of course). Spiranthes spiralis and its "cousin" Spiranthes aestivalis are European and are found in France rather in the south but its presence is proven in many departments although rare. Spiranthes aestivalis likes more humid soils than Spiranthes spiralis which prefers fresh or dry calcareous soils. Morphologically, differentiating them will be extremely complicated moreover. A shift in the flowering date will add even more confusion: from there to suppose that there is only one species with early flowering localities... Of variable size (between 5 and 30 cm), it will be found on grounds with short grass and thus will be visible despite its small size to an attentive observer. Click on the photos to enlarge